Paul Hastings LLP > London, England > Firm Profile

Paul Hastings LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Finance > High yield Tier 1

Paul Hastings LLP continues to expand its high yield practice, which acts for numerous leading investment banks, sponsors, corporates and bond investors. The practice is led by Patrick Bright, who joined from Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP in late 2022 along with Alexander Horstmann-Caines and counsel Jemma Lohr McPherson – the latter working from both London and Paris. Along with the highly regarded Maximilian Kirchner and up-and-coming partner Edward Holmes, they form one of the most experienced teams in the market. With five recognised high yield experts, the firm is staking its claim as a big player in the market. Its impressive array of clients, among them Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, KKR and Carlyle, attests to its growing strength among banks and private equity sponsors, though it also acts for issuers such as Boparan Group and GCX. Kirchner recently assisted BAML with a $300m offering by Jones DesLauriers Insurance Management/Navacord, a company controlled by private equity sponsor Madison Dearborn Partners and one of Canada’s fastest-growing multi-line insurance brokers. Peter Schwartz  departed in February 2024.

Projects, energy and natural resources > Infrastructure: M&A and acquisition financing Tier 1

Counting a stellar list of transatlantic clients, Paul Hastings LLP ‘s growing London infrastructure team has been taking on an increasing number of instructions. The firm has been investing heavily in the practice, as evidenced by the hire of M&A expert Jessamy Gallagher and acquisition finance partner Stuart Rowson in 2023 who bring considerable expertise and market experience from their time at Linklaters LLP. The cross-border practice  advises sponsors investing in the infrastructure market predominantly through M&A transactions, leveraging proficiencies in banking, capital markets and finance. Gallagher sits at the head of the group and possesses a strong understanding of the full range of assets from utilities to emerging digital developments, while co-head Rowson deals with the financing required to facilitate complex transactions. Infrastructure financing partner Derwin Jenkinson and M&A partner Steven Bryan left in autumn 2023.

Finance > Acquisition finance Tier 2

Paul Hastings LLP has been on upward trajectory in the leveraged finance market for the last decade, with a series of astute recent hires reaching its apogee in 2022 with the recruitment of a team of high-profile finance lawyers from top-tier outfit Latham & Watkins. Consequently, the firm now has the critical mass and product knowledge, particularly in the big-ticket lender side bank and bond market (where it is well-versed in advising on European and US-style documentation), to provide a truly credible alternative to its magic circle and white shoe US firm competitors. Luke McDougall has been at the forefront of the firm’s push for increased market visibility and remains a popular choice among leading investment/commercial banks on large underwritten deals. He now co-heads the team alongside new recruits Ross Anderson and Mohamed Nurmohamed, who are both able to draw on significant cross-border leveraged finance experience across a diverse array of financial products.

Finance > Securitisation Tier 2

Paul Hastings LLP has 'very deep mortgage industry knowledge', giving it a strong platform for work on CMBS and RMBS transactions, though it is also a key player in CLO and NPL transactions. Miles Flynn, CLO specialist Cameron Saylor and Paul Severs (who 'loves to solve commercial problems and is very good and coming up with pragmatic solutions that work for everyone') lead the practice. Saylor acted for Credit Suisse in the issuance of €400m of notes by Harvest CLO XXIX DAC, in the first Euro transaction in the market where a large Japanese bank acted as the sole AAA investor. Newly promoted structured credit partner James Baillie has a particular focus on CLOs, on which he advises issuers, originators, investment managers, lenders, and arrangers. He and Saylor are 'great partners to work with always available'. Up-and-coming partner Victoria Morton, who has 'deep technical knowledge', worked with Severs to advise on the separation of Kensington Mortgage Company from group companies KHL and Kayl within the framework of 12 existing public securitisations and 3 private securitisations. Restructuring expert Mei Lian also has a key role in the practice.

Industry focus > Hospitality and leisure Tier 2

With a global network, an ‘incredible level of commercial acumen’ and ‘deep hotel market knowledge', the full-service hospitality and leisure team at Paul Hastings LLP, which focuses predominantly on real estate work, is well regarded for its involvement with prominent hotel and leisure developments, acquisitions, re-brandings, investments and portfolio deals. The team is also able to leverage the strength of the firm’s complementary practices, including banking and finance, tax, restructuring and employment. Leading the team is 'brilliant mind' Michael James, who offers extensive experience in cross-border hotel work, including corporate real estate transactions, and lease and management agreements. ‘Go-to lawyer’ Stephen Nicolas has recently advised on hotel deals in the European market, bringing an ‘unparalleled commerciality and holistic approach’ to hotel sales, development, and re-branding. Also focusing on the hospitality sector is Edward Meadowcroft, who offers significant expertise in drafting and negotiating, hotel management and franchise agreements, joint ventures, acquisitions, and disposals.

Risk advisory > Regulatory investigations and corporate crime (advice to corporates) Tier 2

Displaying a strong presence in the corporate investigations and compliance field, the Paul Hastings LLP team uses its ‘talent at all levels’ to effectively handle anti-bribery and corruption, fraud, and data security proceedings. The firm’s international structure enables close collaboration between the offices in the US, Europe, and Asia, enabling the practice to advise clients on all aspects surrounding high-profile cross-border investigations brought by domestic and global enforcement bodies. Jonathan Pickworth heads the practice, adopting an ‘imaginative’ approach when considering complex tax evasion and corruption matters, whilst Joanna Dimmock uses her ‘meticulous eye for detail’ when assisting with international corruption and criminal cartel issues. Morgan Miller supports companies during white-collar defence cases, and Arun Srivastava is also highlighted.

Corporate and commercial > Private equity: transactions - mid-market deals (up to £250m) Tier 3

In addition to a steady stream of sponsor-side engagements, Paul Hastings LLP‘s management team work sees the team advising on a number of transactions across the tech, healthcare, and industrials sectors. The practice is headed up by Anu Balasubramanian, a highly active transactional partner whose expertise is concentrated in tech and life sciences. Tom Cartwright – who joined the team from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP in June 2022 – has since advised on cross-border deals in the insurance, chemical, and manufacturing sectors, while Jamie Holdoway‘s recent workload includes buyouts, co-investments, and consortia transactions.

Crime, fraud and licensing > Fraud: white-collar crime (advice to individuals) Tier 3

Paul Hastings LLP's 'creative, efficient and tough as nails' London team defends clients in sectors including energy, steel, finance, and security in high-profile proceedings brought by both UK and international regulators- including the SFO and the US DOJ. The team is particularly active in the bribery and corruption arena, covering proceedings spanning a multitude of jurisdictions, as well as routinely handling complex money laundering and serious fraud cases. The ‘world class’ Jonathan Pickworth heads the practice, specialising in dealing with tax evasion and money laundering investigations brought by the NCA, HMRC, and FCA, while Joanna Dimmock has expertise in economic sanctions, extradition, and prosecution matters. At the more junior end, Fred Kelly is knowledgeable on fraud and cartel offences and Tom Hickey advises on anti-bribery and corruption compliance programmes.

Finance > Derivatives and structured products Tier 3

Although it is best known for its CLO practice, Paul Hastings LLP climbs the ranking this year having invested in its team and broadened the scope of its work across the derivatives and structured products space. Jason Brooks joined the team from CMS in June 2022 to lead the structured credit practice, bringing extensive experience as an adviser to investment and retail banks, financial institutions, and corporates, particularly on derivative-linked and asset-based securities matters. Clients note that he is 'one of the best partners in the market, able to deal with our most complex structures'. Brooks joins Christian Parker, who specialises in structured bond and fund products and generally acting for credit fund managers, and CLO and risk retention specialist Cameron Saylor. Brooks recently advised UniCredit AG on a new Irish main market listing of UniCredit’s key TransAlp repackaging programme and trades thereunder.

Investment fund formation and management > Fund finance Tier 3

Investment fund formation and management > Private funds Tier 3

Paul Hastings LLP stands out for handling high value debt structures, as well as assisting with credit and direct funds. The group offers niche expertise in risk retention fund issues, an area in which Christian Parker is a specialist. Parker leads the team alongside credit and debt funds focused Diala Minott, and fund restructuring and spin-out expert Duncan Woollard. Ted Craig  has deep experience in fund formation as well as GPs and secondary transactions.

Real estate > Commercial property: investment Tier 3

Well-placed to leverage the support of the firm’s corporate, tax, securitisation and structured finance practice groups, Paul Hastings LLP regularly handles cross-border real estate transactions. Michael James spearheads the team and has considerable experience advising on investments pertaining to commercial, industrial, office, residential and senior living assets. Stephen Nicolas acts on corporate real estate mandates, including joint ventures and management agreements, while Edward Meadowcroft and Matthew Peters are noted for their capability in handling cross-border investment matters.

Real estate > Property finance Tier 3

Paul Hastings LLP's practice head Miles Flynn has carved out a reputation in loan origination and loan-on-loan finance transactions for alternative lenders and commercial mortgage backed securitisation. The practice leverages its international footprint, and demonstrates experienced handling in complex matters involving cross-border elements.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Fintech Tier 3

Corporate and commercial > Financial services: non-contentious/regulatory Tier 4

Paul Hastings LLP handles a broad range of matters concerning SFDR, AIFMD, IFPR, taxonomy regulation and MiFID II compliance, in addition ESG initiatives, fund structuring and the regulatory aspects of domestic and cross-border M&A transactions. Arun Srivastava leads the team and focuses on the regulatory obligations in the fintech arena, as well as advising on cross-border product and services offerings across the EU. Clients praise Srivastava and Nina Moffatt for their ‘encyclopedic knowledge’ and ‘comprehensive understanding of financial services and regulatory compliance’.

Finance > Corporate restructuring & insolvency Tier 4

Leveraging the firm’s vastly enhanced acquisition finance offering, which has included a spate of eye-catching lateral hires over the past 18 months, and also itself benefitting from considerable upward trajectory – with Helena Potts  the latest recent hire to the restructuring team (following her arrival in February 2023 from Shearman & Sterling LLP) – Paul Hastings LLP is increasingly well-positioned and well-resourced to handle a significant range of instructions, from insolvent liquidations to consensual restructurings and new money opportunities. As well as handling European and domestic mandates, the team, which is headed by the vastly experienced David Ereira  is well-placed to advise on the unwinding of US debt products, as well as having the flexibility to utilise Chapter 11 protection  by virtue of its US offices. Mei Lian is well-versed at handling transactional work in the space, including for funds seeking to realise value in stressed and distressed situations.

Risk advisory > Data protection, privacy and cybersecurity Tier 4

Corporate and commercial > Corporate tax Tier 5

Paul Hastings LLP is active for major financial institutions and private funds in a range of transactions, including disposals and M&A. Team lead Arun Birla is second managing partner of the firm, and has played a key role in the development of securitisation legislation. Jiten Tank is experienced in both domestic and international tax matters, and covers a range of transactions. Associates Jee Yoon Chung and Abigail Hung are core team members.

Corporate and commercial > Financial services: contentious Tier 5

Under the leadership of Arun Srivastava, Paul Hastings LLP‘s London practice has developed as an international hub, operating in concert with the firm’s teams in the US and Asia to handle high-stakes investigations by foreign regulatory authorities. Jonathan Pickworth is noted for his focus on tax evasion, fraud, corruption and money laundering.

Corporate and commercial > M&A: Upper Mid-Market And Premium Deals, £750m+ Tier 5

Praised by clients as being ‘excellent on the legal detail, but also strong on commercial perspective’, the ‘ultra-responsive’ team at Paul Hastings LLP adopts a ‘highly commercial approach’ and offers ‘deep sector specific expertise’ and the ability to lead on complex and high-end transactions. Increasingly active on public M&A deals following a period of expansion, the team is also well-versed in private M&A on behalf of trade, strategic and private equity buyers and joint ventures. Noted as ‘the best commercial and corporate lawyer’ by one client, team head Matthew Poxon has ‘an encyclopaedic knowledge of black letter law.’ Joint-head with Poxon is hihgly regarded former Linklaters LLP partner, Jessamy Gallagher, who joined in January 2023 and specialises in international public and private M&A in the real assets, infrastructure and energy space. With a particular focus on UAE-based institutions and handling transformational public and private M&A transactions is David Prowse . Other changes at the firm include the departure of Garrett Hayes to McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP, the exit of former global co-managing partner Ronan O’Sullivan and the departure of infrastructure-focused Steven Bryan.

Finance > Bank lending: investment grade debt and syndicated loans Tier 5

Employment > Employers Tier 6

Paul Hastings LLP is recommended for its cross-border capabilities, with the firm handling ongoing employment and HR advice, restructuring and employee transfer matters for multinational companies operating across jurisdictions. The team is led by Suzanne Horne, who is experienced in both litigious work and major international business reorganisation and integration projects. Associate Kirsty Devine is another name to note.

Dispute resolution > International arbitration

Industry focus > TMT